Burdon Sanderson Letters, '04.
Copy of letter sent to Sir John B. S. in reply to first letter.
G. R. O.
1, West Franklin St., Baltimore
[Monday June] 21st.
Dear Sir John,
I returned from Boston this morning I found your letter of the 8th. inst. I feel highly flattered that my name should be mentioned in connection with the Chair. I am sorry that so good a man as Ritchie should be passed over. There are so many things to be considered that a cabled you asking if an immediate decision was wanted or whether I could confer with you upon the question in Oxford. In many ways I should like to be considered a candidate, while very happy here and with splendid facilities, probably unequaled in English-speaking countries. I am overworked and find it increasingly hard to serve the public and carry on my teaching. I have been in harness actively for thirty years, and have been looking forward to the time when I could ease myself of some of the burdens I carry it present. With the income from my book, we have a comfortable competency, so that I am in a measure independent.
My only doubt relates to the somewhat relative duties of the chair. I am interested in clinical teaching, and fond of it and have acquired a certain aptitude for bedside work which gives me a certain value in the profession. I should miss sadly the daily contact with the students, unless I could arrange for clinical work in London. On the other hand I have a mass of unfinished literary material on hand which the academic leisure of the new place would enable me to complete.
Thanks for your kind invitation. Mrs. Osler does not accompany me. And Hardy accepted an offer from the Dean of Christ Church.
With sincere regard to you and Lady Sanderson.
Yours,
W. O.